Fiesta ST MK7 VS Civic Type R EP3
Discussion
I've narrowed down my choice to these two.
I have test driven the Fiesta and it is a beautiful little beast all round.
The Type R has also always been appealing and will definitely test drive before decision is made.
Just wanted to know peoples thoughts as to what they would choose and why.
There is also a difference of between about £4k for the EP3 to about £12k for an ST-3, which is fine but how do you think this would impact on running costs?
Any advice would be excellent!
I have test driven the Fiesta and it is a beautiful little beast all round.
The Type R has also always been appealing and will definitely test drive before decision is made.
Just wanted to know peoples thoughts as to what they would choose and why.
There is also a difference of between about £4k for the EP3 to about £12k for an ST-3, which is fine but how do you think this would impact on running costs?
Any advice would be excellent!
Edited by thebigquestion on Saturday 24th December 17:44
Very tough one to answer for sure but one thing I would say is that the Fiesta is fun more of the time, even at low speeds the previously mentioned torque gives the car the fun factor whereas the CTR needs working a bit harder (ime). Both great cars though so you can't really go wrong
Strictly between your two choices I'd rather have an EP3 and £8k of change. I like the EP3 and almost bought one several years ago.
Have you considered a JDM EP3? Has a LSD and comes in the great Championship White/Red colour combo. DC5 Integra as well.
12k would also touch a Megane 250.
Have you considered a JDM EP3? Has a LSD and comes in the great Championship White/Red colour combo. DC5 Integra as well.
12k would also touch a Megane 250.
I ran a UKDM EP3 for 11 years and now on a Fiesta ST2 MP215 for 3 years.
I still miss the Honda; and the Honda greatest thread has not helped!
However, for daily duties and the U.K. roads, I must say that the Fiesta excels. It rides better at higher speeds and is a comfortable cruiser. Don't be put off by the rear beam axle on the Ford. The car is a playful little thing even at low speeds which is what hatchbacks should do. It becomes more of a serious road machine when lowered and wearing ContiSport5.
Yes, the K20A2 engine is a gem but the Ecoboost will spin as happily just not as quickly of course. Keeping it on boost and in the right gear makes it just as involving as the Civic which demands the same attention.
I would say that Ford have placed an equal amount of attention into the ST as much as Honda placed into the EP3. It is about the handling and the driving involvement rather than the overall Ring times and headline figures.
If you do pick up an EP3, then make sure the Potenza RE040 are swapped to a different tyre. I was a bit of a fanboi and kept to Bridgestone but the car wil sparkle with better rubber and a fast-road geometry setup. Don't lift-off though, the rear will snap!
I still miss the Honda; and the Honda greatest thread has not helped!
However, for daily duties and the U.K. roads, I must say that the Fiesta excels. It rides better at higher speeds and is a comfortable cruiser. Don't be put off by the rear beam axle on the Ford. The car is a playful little thing even at low speeds which is what hatchbacks should do. It becomes more of a serious road machine when lowered and wearing ContiSport5.
Yes, the K20A2 engine is a gem but the Ecoboost will spin as happily just not as quickly of course. Keeping it on boost and in the right gear makes it just as involving as the Civic which demands the same attention.
I would say that Ford have placed an equal amount of attention into the ST as much as Honda placed into the EP3. It is about the handling and the driving involvement rather than the overall Ring times and headline figures.
If you do pick up an EP3, then make sure the Potenza RE040 are swapped to a different tyre. I was a bit of a fanboi and kept to Bridgestone but the car wil sparkle with better rubber and a fast-road geometry setup. Don't lift-off though, the rear will snap!
Edited by dragonflyjade on Saturday 24th December 23:09
To answer your question on running costs.
Fiesta vs Civic
mpg: 43.2 v 30
RFL: £130? v £280 from memory
Insurance: Fiesta is half the cost but I ran the EP3 when it was classed as Group 17 and I was a lot younger.
Bumpers are the same cost for both cars.
Clutch was £380 fitted on the Honda. The original clutch lasted 105K miles for me (rev matching
)
The glass on the Honda is tinted green - its subtle but check the panels for third-party replacements.
Fiesta vs Civic
mpg: 43.2 v 30
RFL: £130? v £280 from memory
Insurance: Fiesta is half the cost but I ran the EP3 when it was classed as Group 17 and I was a lot younger.
Bumpers are the same cost for both cars.
Clutch was £380 fitted on the Honda. The original clutch lasted 105K miles for me (rev matching
)The glass on the Honda is tinted green - its subtle but check the panels for third-party replacements.
dragonflyjade said:
To answer your question on running costs.
Fiesta vs Civic
mpg: 43.2 v 30
RFL: £130? v £280 from memory
Insurance: Fiesta is half the cost but I ran the EP3 when it was classed as Group 17 and I was a lot younger.
Bumpers are the same cost for both cars.
Clutch was £380 fitted on the Honda. The original clutch lasted 105K miles for me (rev matching)
The glass on the Honda is tinted green - its subtle but check the panels for third-party replacements.
Is that mpg official vs official, or real world? I'd be very surprised if the latter in both cases. Civic can get 30 mpg or very close (is about what I managed over @ 50k) but very much doubt the Fiesta will do 40 odd in reality.Fiesta vs Civic
mpg: 43.2 v 30
RFL: £130? v £280 from memory
Insurance: Fiesta is half the cost but I ran the EP3 when it was classed as Group 17 and I was a lot younger.
Bumpers are the same cost for both cars.
Clutch was £380 fitted on the Honda. The original clutch lasted 105K miles for me (rev matching
)The glass on the Honda is tinted green - its subtle but check the panels for third-party replacements.
Insurance is expensive for the Honda and parts will likely be a chunk more from dealers. However, VTEC-YO has a certain charm, the gearbox shouldn't be as wonderful as it is and the handling is a personal thing.
I'd go for the Honda, even if you pay a bit more for a decent one, though drive both as it is a bit of a love-hate thing.
The EP3 has one of the best powertrains ever fitted to a hot hatch, the gearbox in particular is often touted as one of the best of the best that you'll find in a road car and the engine is sublime. The Fiesta is nice but it's just another turbo hatch, a bit bland and characterless but pokey enough. Certainly not worth 3 times what an EP3 is.
I'd get an EP3, spend few quid tidying it up and putting a few nice bits on it and bank the huge amount of money that you didn't spend getting the Fiesta.
I'd get an EP3, spend few quid tidying it up and putting a few nice bits on it and bank the huge amount of money that you didn't spend getting the Fiesta.
The mpg figures are real world. I've found better economy on V-Power; enough to justify the cost. However not to derail the thread...
Agreed, the Honda gearbox/power train is sublime and is a giggle to use the way it is designed. The Ecoboost still has character in the upper ranges, just a different persona.
Agreed, the Honda gearbox/power train is sublime and is a giggle to use the way it is designed. The Ecoboost still has character in the upper ranges, just a different persona.
DukeDickson said:
Is that mpg official vs official, or real world? I'd be very surprised if the latter in both cases. Civic can get 30 mpg or very close (is about what I managed over @ 50k) but very much doubt the Fiesta will do 40 odd in reality.
Insurance is expensive for the Honda and parts will likely be a chunk more from dealers. However, VTEC-YO has a certain charm, the gearbox shouldn't be as wonderful as it is and the handling is a personal thing.
I'd go for the Honda, even if you pay a bit more for a decent one, though drive both as it is a bit of a love-hate thing.
The ford will easily do 40mpg ... mines averages 30mpg purely from city and stop/start driving with no motorway or cruise speeds.Insurance is expensive for the Honda and parts will likely be a chunk more from dealers. However, VTEC-YO has a certain charm, the gearbox shouldn't be as wonderful as it is and the handling is a personal thing.
I'd go for the Honda, even if you pay a bit more for a decent one, though drive both as it is a bit of a love-hate thing.
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